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The artist has handed over the entirety of his £25k award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the Britain's small music venues.

The star was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his latest record his work was named the best record of the past year.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues had in his initial steps.

"As an artist would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also took part, collecting more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money supported locations that were dealing with potential shutdown due to challenges arising from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Other venues obtained funding support in improving infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and audiences.

"The idea that funds from performances in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.

Fender is not the first artist to contribute his honor prize money to worthy causes.

When Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their release the album, vocalist Cocker declared that the group would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

That year, artist the artist divided her prize across several organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I gave a grand to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked better apparatus," she shared with the media.

Previously, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the local youth club that supported their group, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Also the 1994 recipients M People donated their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.

"Winning was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted another person's life."

Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued two grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.

The Joiners in that area and the second in the city were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "shares" in the properties.